Nursing homes ask people with the flu to stay away

With all the concerns about the flu spreading, many nursing home officials are asking people who are sick to stay away. April Goldsmith, a spokeswoman for the Westview Care Center in Britt, says they’re looking out for their residents’ health.She says they don’t have the flu and they don’t want the residents to get it. She says they’re just putting out the word if you have the flu, they don’t want you to spread it to the residents and you should stay away. Goldsmith says the residents have had their flu shot, but it is tough to keep illnesses from spreading in this type of setting.She says with people living closely together, even precautions such as hand washing and vaccinations still can’t keep the illness from spreading. Goldsmith says there are many other ways to let those loved ones know that you care for them without visiting and making them sick. She says you can write a card, send flowers, or other things to show that you love them. Health officials says the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to serious complications from the flu.